Tell EPA To Get Triclosan, a Dangerous Anti-Bacterial, Out Of Our Soap
Tell EPA To Get Triclosan, a Dangerous Anti-Bacterial, Out Of Our Soap
The Issue
Triclosan is an anti-microbial pesticide that has become ubiquitous in consumer products. It can be found in everything from hand soap and deodorant to cutting boards and clothing. (Basically most products labeled "anti-baterial" or "anti-microbial.")
Unbeknown to most shoppers, triclosan poses serious personal health, public health and environmental concerns. It is an endocrine disruptor which research has been linked to increased allergies, cancer and reproductive effects. Doctors worry its increased use is also breeding bacteria with increased resistance to medical antibiotics.
What's scary is that triclosan is already found in the urine of 75 percent of the population today. It also gets into our rivers and water bodies, throwing aquatic ecosystems out of whack because it is toxic to algae.
Triclosan is also entirely unneeded in most products. An expert FDA panel, for example, concluded in 2005 that anti-bacterial soap is no more effective in washing away germs than regular soap and water. Rather, it's an effectiveness is more as a marketing ploy in an age of the super flu.
While groups have raised these concerns for years, it looks like finally, their concerns are getting traction with federal regulators.
Almost a year ago, 86 groups, led by Beyond Pesticides and Food & Water Watch, filed a petition with U.S. EPA asking the agency to consider banning the anti-bacterial agent for non-medical uses. While both agencies do testing and regulate marketing claims, neither restrict the use of triclosan in consumer products.
About a week ago, the agency finally decided to consider their request and take public comments for 60 days.
It's about time.
Japan and Canada have already banned triclosan in consumer products, and the EU has classified it as a dangerous irritant that persists in the environment.
It's better that EPA hear your own words. You can submit your comments by going to regulations.gov and clicking on "Submit a Comment" by February 7th. Or, if you'd rather, sign our letter, which will be delievered to EPA, in support of a triclosan ban.
The Issue
Triclosan is an anti-microbial pesticide that has become ubiquitous in consumer products. It can be found in everything from hand soap and deodorant to cutting boards and clothing. (Basically most products labeled "anti-baterial" or "anti-microbial.")
Unbeknown to most shoppers, triclosan poses serious personal health, public health and environmental concerns. It is an endocrine disruptor which research has been linked to increased allergies, cancer and reproductive effects. Doctors worry its increased use is also breeding bacteria with increased resistance to medical antibiotics.
What's scary is that triclosan is already found in the urine of 75 percent of the population today. It also gets into our rivers and water bodies, throwing aquatic ecosystems out of whack because it is toxic to algae.
Triclosan is also entirely unneeded in most products. An expert FDA panel, for example, concluded in 2005 that anti-bacterial soap is no more effective in washing away germs than regular soap and water. Rather, it's an effectiveness is more as a marketing ploy in an age of the super flu.
While groups have raised these concerns for years, it looks like finally, their concerns are getting traction with federal regulators.
Almost a year ago, 86 groups, led by Beyond Pesticides and Food & Water Watch, filed a petition with U.S. EPA asking the agency to consider banning the anti-bacterial agent for non-medical uses. While both agencies do testing and regulate marketing claims, neither restrict the use of triclosan in consumer products.
About a week ago, the agency finally decided to consider their request and take public comments for 60 days.
It's about time.
Japan and Canada have already banned triclosan in consumer products, and the EU has classified it as a dangerous irritant that persists in the environment.
It's better that EPA hear your own words. You can submit your comments by going to regulations.gov and clicking on "Submit a Comment" by February 7th. Or, if you'd rather, sign our letter, which will be delievered to EPA, in support of a triclosan ban.
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Petition created on December 20, 2010